Researchers have made ordered nanoarrays of molecules on a surface, which they say could be useful for many emerging nanotechnologies.

Nian Lin and colleagues from the Max-Planck-Institut für Festkörperforschung in Germany created nanocavities on a surface and then filled them with various guest molecules, including cystine and diphenylalanine.

The nanocavities are open voids that behave as receptors, binding a single, or discrete number, of molecules. The voids are arranged in a square lattice, providing a template to pattern guest molecules in two-dimensional nanoarrays with sub-nanometre precision.

Lin and his team used molecules that could be selectively removed from the surface at different temperatures. The researchers followed the binding and release of the guest species using high resolution scanning tunnelling microscopy. 

Neil Champness, chair of chemical nanoscience at the University of Nottingham, UK, said, 'this work makes a significant step. Not only can the authors develop single molecule ordering, but they are also able to address organisation of biologically relevant molecules.'

Lin now plans to develop 'receptors that can recognize and selectively bind target guest molecules via specific non-covalent interactions.'

Ruth M Needham